Wheeled scraper



A ril 15, 1930. A. P. ARMINGTON WHEELED SCRAPER Filed March 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet gnvenfot April 15, 1930. A. P. ARMI NGTON 1,754,976

WHEELED SCRAPER Filed March 21, 1927' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zlnuemfoa;

scraper automatically adjusts durin Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR P. ARMINGTON, OI WILLOUGHBY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE EUCLID CRANE & HOIST COMPANY, OF EUCLTD VILLAGE,

OHIO, A. CORPORATION 03' OHIO wnnsL n scaarnn Application filed Karen 21, 1827. Serial No. 177,064.

This invention relates to earth moving apparatus of the type intended to be trailed behind a means of motive power such as a gasolinetractor and known as Wheeled scrapers wherein material to be moved is loaded directl into the scraper by a scooping motion 0 the load container or bucket which forms a part thereof; it may then be transported as re uired and thereafter ejected when desired y a backward tilting of the bucket. The invention pertains in general to the typeof scraper described in detail in the co-pending application of myself and Winfred H. Juergens, Serial No. 77 ,028; filed December 22, 1925, now Patent No. 1,714,117, and its objects are generally improvements over the scraper set forth therein.

The invention also embodies certain elements and receives therefrom certain advantages of the scraper set forth in my co-pending application, Serial No. 146,651, filed November 6, 1926, now Patent No. 1,714,118, to which also reference may be had.

-Specifically, an object of this invention is to provide a novel means of draft ear which in connection with the bucket of t e wheelpld t e loading operation the angle and elevatlon of the lip thereof to accommodate varying conditions of earth met in operation of the scraper; and further, to provide for emergency use an additional hand adjustment of the draft gear adapted for operation to meet extreme conditions. Other objects of the invention are to provide improved means for elevating the bucket from loading position to load carrying and therebeyond to dumping position thereof; to provide improved means for returning the bucket from dumping osition, whereby shock, jar, and the resu ting wear and tear on the machine is minimized; and to provide an arrangement and construction of the parts, simplifying, strengthening and making more certain the operation of the machine and its several components. Further objects and advantages of my invention together with the exact nature thereof will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a side elevation of the machine with the near wheel removed, the bucket being in loading position, and showing in dot-dash lines the bucket slightly elevated and draft gear extended as the same would automaticall function in meeting conditions of increased resistance to advance of the bucket during the loading operation of the same. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the scraper, and Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the bucket elevating and lowering gear appearing in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a detail as indicated by line 44 Fig. 3.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the principal parts of the scraper arean open frame 1 mounted between a pair of wheels 2 and carrying a-bucket 3, a draft gear 4 automatically controlling the position of the bucket in the frame during the loadin operation and hand controlled bucket e evatin gear 5, by which the bucket may be move from the loading position appearing in Fig. 1 to load carrying position and therebe 0nd to dumping position, and back to either oading or load carryin positions.

The frame is o rigid construction, U- shaped, open at its rear end and carry ng a pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending members 6 connected and braced at their up- 'per extremities by a cross member 7.

The wheels are mounted upon stub shafts 8 extending outwardly of the frame and medially thereof, one of the wheels carrying also a sprocket 9 connectin by means of a chain 10 with a sprocket 11 fast upon atransverse shaft 12 carried by the members 6; so that as the wheels are rotated by advance of the scraper a clockwise motion, Figs. 1 and 3, will be imparted to the shaft 12.

The bucket 3 at its rear end is in pivotal connection with the lower extremities of the members 6, and thereby wit-h the frame, as at 13; and at its forward end is provided with a transverse member 14 which serves to strengthen the mouth and projects beyond the edges thereof as indicated in Fi 2, resting in loading position upon a pair 0 members 15.

The members 15 are secured upon a pair of lever members 16 extending from pivotal connections 17 at their rearward ends longitudinally to connection at their forward ends with the lower ends of links 18. The links 18 are suspended from crank arms 19 secured upon the extremities of a transverse shaft 20, mounted in the forward portion of the frame, the rock shaft 20 carrying medially of its length an upwardly extending crank arm 21. Forwardly extending medially of the frame 1 is an arm 22 formed by a pair of members 23. Between the forward ends of the members 9,3 are secured a pair of upstanding members 24 between the upper extremities of which is pivoted a link 25. The lower end of the link is in pivotal connection at 26, with the forward end of a pair of draft links 27, the rear ends of which are in pivotal connection 28 with the lever arm 21 on the shaft 20. The extreme forward end of the member 27 carries connection means such as a draft eye 29. The lower extremities of the members 24 project below the members 23 and the link is co-extensive therewith so that a pin extending between the members 24 serves to limit the rearward motion of the link 25 and therefore of the draft links 27. By the linkage just described forward motion of the eye 29 will be coni'erted to lesser upward motion of the lip 31 of the bucket, being transmitted through the parts 27, 28, 21. Q0, 19, 18, 16, 15 and 14, the bucket tilting upwards about 13 as an axis.

Between the members 23 extends a spring housing gusset 32 provided with a longitudinal opening in which is positioned a coil spring 33, the forward end of the spring having a suitable bearing on the gusset. the rear end bearing against a washer adjustably positioned by the nut 34 on a rod passing through the spring and gusset and having connection with a latch link 35. Th latch link normally rests upon apin 65 set t. ed between the draft links 27'and has a downwardly extending projection 35" engaging a pin whereby relative forward motion of the draft eye 29 to raise the lip of the bucket as dccsribed is opposed by the spring. A handle 36, offset to clear the members 24 and 25. extends forwardly oftne latch link 35 whereby the same may be raised clear of the pin 65 and thus release the bucket controlling linkage from the action of the spring 33.

Loosely mounted upon the shaft 12 are a pair of ratchet wheels 37 adapted for frictional engagement to rotate with the shaft, by means of a friction clutch of any suitable design as located within thecontincs of the ratchet wheels and controlled by a pair of helical rams 39. one of them rotatable by the lever 40, clockwise motion of the lever, Fig. 1.

effecting engag ment of the clutch. A control rope 41 extends from the lever 40 forwardly to a convenient connection with the tractor to which the scraper is secured. whereby the operator of the tractor by pulling the rope 41 will cause engagement of the clutch to effect movement of the ratchet wheels 37 with the shaft 12.

' The ratchet wheels 37 form between them a drum 42 on which is secured the end of a chain 43, the opposite end of which is in connection with a collar 44 upon the member 14 whereby rotation of the drum will raise the forward end of the bucket 3. Pivotally secured at 51 between a pair of members 45" which are carried by the transverse member -7 are a pair of short longitudinal members 45 between the rear extremities of which is pivoted at 46 a latch member 47 carrying a detent 48 extending into the plane of the teeth of the ratchet wheels 37. A Compression spring 49 is effective between the head of a bolt 50, the opposite end of which is secured upon the member 7, and the member 47 to tend to maintain the detent 48 in engag ment with the periphery of the ratchet wheels.

Pivotally mounted at 52 on the frame is a lever 53, provided with a handle 54 forwardly extending to within reach of the operator, and an upstanding member 55, in connection with the upper extremity of the lever 47 by a link 56. This arrangement is such that downward movement of the lever 54 will effect disengagement of the detent 48 from the teeth of the ratchet wheels, against the action of the spring 49.

The members motion about their pivot 51 Figs. 1 and by the projecting flange of the member 7 but counterclockwise motion is possible, opposed by the action of spring 57 positioned upon a bolt 58 secured at its lower end to the member 7 secured between the members 45*, the spring being in compression between the head 59 of the bolt and the forward extremities of the members 45, and the bolt passing through a washer 45 45 for the purpose. Thus counterclockwise motion of the members 45 allows spring opposed lowering of the member 47. The object of this arrangement is the provision of shock absorbing means effective upon sudden engagement of the detent 48 with the teeth of the revolving ratchet wheels 37. The levers 47 and 40 are extended downwards and provided with eyes to receive if desired control ropes 60 and 61 whereby the operation of the bucket may be controlled from the rear of the machine if desired.

By proper manipulation of the mechanism described. during forward motion of the scraper, the bucket 3 may be raised from the position indicated in Fig. 1 to a load carrying position by a short pull upon the control rope 41. and further to dumping position by a more prolonged tension upon the rope. the bucket being maintained in whatever position it is upon release of the rope, by the detent member 48. To lower the buck et it is only necessary to lower the lever 54 45 are limited in clockwise whereupon the ratchet wheels are released from the detent 48, the bucket returning by gravity. To insure return of the bucket to the position of Fi 1 with pro er alignment, 9. pair of upstan ing outwar ly bent members 63 are fixed upon the frame 1 with slight clearancebeyondthe ends of the member 14. In order that the lowering of the bucket may be braked I provide a connecting chain 62 secured between the members 40 and 56 as indicated; so that as the member 56 is pulled forward to release the detent the lever 40 is also moved forward to en age the clutch in a degree controlled by the handle 54.

.Operation of the scraper is as follows: Assuming the parts in full line position of Fig. 1, this being the loading position ofthe bucket. The scraper is moved forwardly by its connection at 29, the members 14 normall' resting ufpon the members 15 of the frame; the lip 31. 0 the bucket being slightly inclined downward as indicated and digging into the earth over which the scraper moves to accumulate a load in the bucket. Where earth of abnormal resistance or an obstruction is encountered or as the bucket acquires a full load, the necessary draw bar pull increases sufficiently to overcome the resistance of the spring 33. Thereupon the draw bar linkage is extended as indlcated in dot-dash lines, Fig. 1, raisin the li of the bucket which by its thus ecrease angularity with the ground is relieved of its tendency to dig in, and takes a smaller bite or tends to ride over the obstruction of whatever nature it has met; returning again to the digging position as abnormal tension in the draw bar is relieved.

Should the obstruction be impassable the tension on the draw bar may be relieved by slight backward movement of the tractor, and the latch lever 35 raised by upward motion of the handle 36, to clear the pin 65. Thereafter pull upon the draw bar will be transmitted unimpeded to a lifting effect upon the lip of the bucket, which will be raised to a much higher angle than that ap-' pearing in the drawings, the latch being reengaged after the sltuation is taken care of.

During normal operation of the scraper asthe bucket becomes loaded, the load piling up therein forms in itself a greatly increased obstruction to forward motion so that the lip is automatically raised as the load is completed.

When the bucket is completely filled the operator by a short pull upon the rope 41 engages the clutch to raise the forward end of the bucket sufiiciently to well clear the ground by rotating the drum 42a few notchesof the ratchet wheels. The detent 48 maintains this position upon release of the rope the forward end of the bucket then being suspended from the chain 43.

hen the dumping location is reached the operator again pulls. the rope 41 to tilt the bucket farther backwards to dump the load out of the rear end thereof. This motion of the bucket is limited by engagement of the ends of the member 14 with the braces 64 supporting the member 6, the clutch slipping as this bucket position is obtained if the rope 41 is not released in time.

'The bucket maintains this position until the operator by downward push upon the lever 54 releases the detent 48 from the ratchet wheels; whereupon the bucket drops due to its own weight, this movement being subject however to the braking effect already described, through. the chain 62. The bucket may be returned directly to loading position if desired. However, in practice it is more probable that the bucket will be lowered only y to load carrying position, the operator re- 'a stop. When the scraper arrives again at the loading location, it will assume the loading position upon another downward push of the lever 54.

While 1 have illustrated and disclosed for" purposes of exposition of a'specific form of .my invention as applied to a particular machine, I do not wish to be limited thereby, but rather only by the real scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

'What I claim is:

1. Earth moving apparatus comprising, a wheeled frame, a scraper bucket mounted for movement about a rearward supporting connection therewith, means movable in said frame for adjustably supportingtheiforward end of said bucket in loading position, draft gear associated with said movable means and with said frame whereby the elevation of the lip of the bucket in said position is dependent upon resistance of the same to pull on said draft gear to advance the apparatus, and means for raising the forward end of the bucket to load carrying and dumping positions.

2; Earth moving apparatus comprising, a Wheeled frame, a scraper bucket mounted for movement about a rearward supporting connection therewith, a pair of lever members pivotally mounted in said frame and adapted to support the forward end of said bucket in load carrying position, draft gear associated with said lever members to move the same to elevate the lip of the bucket dependent upon the resistance of the same to ad-: Vance, and means for raising the forward end of the bucket to load carrying position and therebeyond to dump rearwardly.

3. Earth moving apparatus comprising a rigid frame including fixed axle means, wheels associated with said axle means to sup rt said frame, a scraper bucket supportedassoci'ated therewith for movement beloading and load-carrying and dumpin positions thereon, means for controlling said bucket movement and automatic, means adapted for movement relative to said frame and cooperable with said bucket in loading ition thereof to adjustably position said mket in said frame dependent upon resistanoe of the bucket to advance.

4. Earth moving apparatus comprising a wheeled frame, a scraper bucket supportedly associated therewith for movement between loading and load-carrying and dumping positions, means for controlling said bucket movement, draft means arranged for association with said bucket in loading position thereof and adapted for movement relative to said frame to elevate the bucket lip dey tween pendent upon a resistance of the bucket toadvance, and yieldable means associated with with said draft means and said frame and arranged in opposition to bucket lip elevating operation of the draft means and being adapted for release whereby the effectiveness of said draft means for bucket lipvelevation may be greatly increased at will.

5. Earth moving apparatus comprising a wheeled frame, a scraper bucket supportedly associated therewith for movement between loading and load-carrying and dumping ositions, means for controlling said buc et movement, draft means arranged for association with said bucket in loading position thereof and adapted for movement relative to said frame to elevate the bucket lip dependent upon resistance of the bucket to advance and yieldable means associated with said frame and with said draft means and arranged in opposition to bucket lip elevating operation of the draft means and being adapted for release whereby bucket lip elevation may be greatly increased, said yieldable means having a handle portion for effecting said release at will.

6. Earth moving apparatus comprising a wheeled frame, a scraper bucket mounted for raising and lowering movement therein between loading and load-carrying and dumping [)OSltlOIlS, a rotary member associated with one of the frame Wheels to be driven thereby and associated with said bucket to effect said raising movement thereof and having ratchet teeth, detent means releasably engageable with said teeth to releasably maintain the bucket as raised, and a mounting for said detent means arranged to yield upon said engagement thereof, whereby said bucket may be dropped from dumping position and arrested in load-carrying position, and said apparatus will be protected from shock as the bucket is arrested. 7. Earth moving apparatus comprising a wheeled frame, a scraper bucket mounted for raisin and lowering movement therein between loading and load-carrying and dumping positions, a rotary member associated with one of the frame wheels to be driven thereby and associated with said bucket to eifect raising movement thereof and having ratchet teeth, detent means on said frame and engageable with said teeth to releasably maintain the bucket as raised, frictional driving control means for said rotary member, control means for said detent, and connection means between said driving control means and said detent control means whereby releasin movement of said detent control means w en continued effects frictional effect on said rotary member to gently break the fall of said bucket.

Signed by me, this 19th day of March, 1927.

ARTHUR P. ARMINGTON. 

